Cyrtophora cicatrosa, commonly known as the garden tent-web spider or dome spider, is a common species of orb-weavers found in many parts of Asia. It is common in gardens and has a very dense, thick, three dimensional and strong tent-like web.

Garden tent-web spider
In bright colouration
In typical colouration
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Infraorder: Araneomorphae
Family: Araneidae
Genus: Cyrtophora
Species:
C. cicatrosa
Binomial name
Cyrtophora cicatrosa
Stoliczka, 1869

Description edit

 
The chain of egg-sacks can be seen in the background.

It is a small spider, which has long legs and a green colour with yellowish markings. It can turn black with white and green markings when flushed. It is often seen upside down.[1] Its web is very strong but lacks sticky fibers. It is built in a three-dimensional and complex dome commonly found between branches of thorny plants,[1] but can be seen basically anywhere. Hence, they do not move very much from the centre of the dome in which they hang upside-down.[1] The dome is connected by many lines to a support, and forms a mountain shape in the middle.[1] A chain of green bean-like egg sacs is also a common sight in these webs.

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d Blanke, Rainer (2010-04-26). "Untersuchungen zum Sexualverhalten von Cyrtophora cicatrosa (Stoliczka) (Araneae, Araneidae)". Zeitschrift für Tierpsychologie. 37 (1): 62–74. doi:10.1111/j.1439-0310.1975.tb01127.x. ISSN 0044-3573.